Cong MLC goes to EC, complains against Ramdev

Local Congress MLC Mohan Joshi has approached the Election Commission of India with a demand to count the advertising expenses on TV programmes of Yoga guru Ramdev Baba as BJP’s election expenditure.

Terming Ramdev as “chief worker” of BJP, Joshi said Ramdev had been carrying out “devoted” work for the party and “openly” participating in its election campaign by sharing the dais with top leaders, including prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

“Under the garb of his Yoga institution, he (Ramdev) is publishing his photographs and is canvassing for his party while displaying his yoga moves in the media. These displays and photos are being aired daily, on all national news channels. This is nothing but propaganda and canvassing for BJP…” Joshi’s letter to the EC reads.

It adds: “The expenses sponsored by placing advertisements in…media definitely come under the purview of election expenses. To avoid the restrictions put by you (the EC), these tactics are adopted and followed by BJP…”

Demanding stern action against both the BJP and Ramdev, Joshi has also sought an immediate ban on all sponsorships and advertisements on news channels with immediate effect.